Google adds more media and messaging options to Android Auto

Google is rolling out media playback and messaging updates on Android Auto to make it more convenient while keeping safety at the forefront. The refreshed media interface should quickly help you find something you want to listen to, while the system can display short previews of texts -- but only when the car is stopped.

It should be a little easier to browse music, podcasts and audiobooks following a UI update that makes album art larger. Google Assistant voice search will be more useful too, as you can to ask it to play tunes from certain time periods or a particular artist, for instance. To begin with, the updates will work with apps including Google Play Books, Google Play Music, iHeartRadio, Pocket Casts and Spotify.

Google is beefing up messaging too, with support for MMS (multimedia messaging service) and RCS (rich communication services), so you'll be able to use features such as group messaging. Meanwhile, message previews are disabled by default and you can switch them on from your settings. That way, Google says, you'll be able to decide whether privacy or convenience is more important, in case you don't want passengers peeking at your texts. Only showing the previews while you aren't actively driving is a logical move that cuts down on potential distractions. At launch, the messaging features work with the likes of Messages, Hangouts and WhatsApp.